The Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) flap reconstructive procedure offers cancer patients undergoing breast reconstruction an opportunity many thought they would never have.

With a traditional breast reconstruction following a mastectomy, women typically notice abdominal weakness due to a loss of abdominal muscle. The DIEP flap procedure is changing the face of reconstruction, allowing the patient to retain her abdominal muscle by transplanting the lower abdominal tissue to the chest by identifying the blood supply and reconnecting the blood vessels to blood vessels at the mastectomy site.

DIEP flap breast reconstruction replaces the skin and soft tissue removed during mastectomy with soft, warm, living tissue by borrowing skin and fatty tissue from the abdomen. A slim incision along the bikini line is made, much like that used for a tummy tuck. The necessary skin, soft tissue, and tiny feeding blood vessels are removed; the blood vessels are then matched to supplying vessels at the mastectomy site and reattached under a microscope.

Unlike conventional reconstructions, use of DIEP flap techniques allow for collection of this tissue without sacrifice of underlying abdominal muscles. This tissue is then surgically transformed into a new breast mound. For many women the reconstructed breasts may be firmer and have a more youthful appearance than their natural breasts.

In addition to reconstructing the breast, the contour of the abdomen is often improved much like a tummy tuck.

Click here to find a physician trained in the DIEP flap reconstructive procedure.